Wilson, William 28017 (1898 - 1917)

Private, 2nd Bn. King's Own Scottish Borderers

Buried at Tyne Cot Memorial

Commemorated at City of Glasgow Roll of Honour at Glasgow City Chambers

Seventeen year old William Wilson attended the University of Glasgow in session 1915-1916 and took classes in Mathematics and Chemistry, successfully passing his examinations in the spring of 1916. His father, who was also called William, was a fruit merchant living with in Westland Drive, Whiteinch, Glasgow.

William Junior joined the 2nd Battalion of the King's Own Scottish Borders in the rank of Private and served at home for five and a half months. He was then posted overseas where he served for four and a half months before on 4th October 1917, he was killed at the Battle of Passchendaele. His battalion was part of the 5th Division attacking towards Polderhoek Chateau. Although the attack was not in itself successful in capturing the target, an advance of 700 yards was made on the day William lost his life.

His name appears on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.

Reproduced with permission from the University of Glasgow Roll of Honour: http://www.universitystory.gla.ac.uk/ww1-intro/